Purple Hey Ya: André 3000 To Star In Jimi Hendrix Biopic

You know, this actually might work out. For years, Outkast singer André 3000 had been trying to make a biopic on the life of Jimi Hendrix, but after being turned down by Hendrix’ estate, the project appeared quashed forever. Now, according to the Irish Film & Television Network, an André 3000/Hendrix film has been given the go-ahead and begins production in three weeks. All By My Side will tell the story of Hendrix in England from 1966 to 1967, the formative time during which he put together a band, made it onto Britain’s Top of the Pops, and created the inimitable Are You Experienced? album.

André 3000 hasn’t been the only one to attempt a definitive Hendrix film. Laurence Fishburne, Lenny Kravitz, Will Smith and Eddie Murphy have all been in the running to play the voodoo chile at one point or another. We are immensely grateful that we will never have to see the Fresh Prince or Nutty Professor lip sync “Hey Joe” in bell-bottoms—even more thankful that James Franco was kind of automatically excluded from this role.

All By My Side will be directed by writer John Ridley, who has also been responsible for films like Red Tails, Undercover Brother and U Turn. Last year, Captain America actress Hayley Atwell also told Esquire she might star in a film on Jimi Hendrix alongside Dre, but that information has yet to be confirmed. Oh, oh, one more fun fact before you leave: André 3000 is actually exactly the same height (5′ 10″) as Hendrix was. Fate?

One Comment

Everything Rock knows about the guitar after 1970 came from his psychedelic twisting of what the instrument could do. I paid homage to Hendrix with a portrait called Purple Haze on the anniversary of his passing recently. You can see it at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/09&hellip; and tell me how the voodoo child